A Blog for Senior Citizens by a senior citizen. Most posts are written by me and others are relevant news items. Emphasis on India. As posts could be made in quick succession, please see the Index (Archive) to see earlier ones. If you comment I won't lament.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Good response to senior citizens’ helpline (Ahmadabad)

Good response to senior citizens' helpline

The helpline receives 10-15 calls a day from elderly people seekinghelp with civic issues, information about government schemes or withcomplaints about harassment by children and neighbours

By Dilip PatelPosted On Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 02:51:11 AM

The state government has decided to set up four homes for seniorcitizens in the state at a cost of Rs 32 lakhWe usually consult our family elders for guidance when faced with adilemma. But who do the senior citizens turn to, in times of need,especially when living alone or being neglected by their children?

To address this concern, the state social welfare department started ahelpline for senior citizens on October 1. The helpline, run by thestate IT department, is receiving very good response from the elderly,sources said.

Social Welfare Minister Fakirbhai Vaghela said, "Our state has 40 lakhcitizens aged 60 and above. The helpline (18002335500) receives 10-15calls a day. The calls are from senior citizens who are living aloneor are being harassed by their children, neighbours ordaughters-in-law, seeking help. Some call up to get information aboutgovernment schemes for senior citizens."

The complaints are diverted to the social welfare department, wherethe officers take up individual cases and call up the senior citizensto solve their problems.

"In case of crime-related complaints, social welfare officialsaccompany the citizens to the police station to help them registertheir complaint. If their children are not ready to keep them, we makearrangements for their stay at a senior citizen's home," Vaghelaadded.

New old age homes to be set upThe state government has decided to set up four senior citizens' homesin the state at a cost of Rs 32 lakh, including one in Gandhinagar.Sources said NGOs will be given grants of Rs 600 per senior citizen ifthey are willing to run these homes.

At present, there are 145 NGOs working for senior citizens in thestate and 24 such homes run but the state government. In case ofpublic-private partnership, the government is read to provide land toset up such homes.

Vaghela said, "Orphaned or homeless children may also be housed insenior citizen homes. The children, who don't have parents orguardians, can learn values from the elderly. The senior citizens inturn will enjoy the company and affection of these kids."